I have gained a few pounds over a relatively long "period" of time. Pardon the pun. Most of my friends have gained weight after menopause. When we leave the work place we get a bit more sedentary, along with more time for snacking, less exercise, hormonal adjustments, it is easy to gain weight. Some of friends were just born with great genes. They never gain weight . Recently, I went out with my oldest grandson and was commenting on my ‘should nots" regarding enjoying another slice or two of this most yummy flat bread. He basically gave me permission to enjoy myself. Said…"N’annie, at your age you shouldn’t worry. I used to be a 4, then a 6 and now I am an 8. My grand kids didn’t notice. If they have, they are being polite. I want to keep a nice figure and so I do pay attention to portions and sugary stuff. But I want to maintain a balance and a sense of humor. Jump start your metabolism with more exercise which is good for body and soul. Michelle Segar has a lot of good ideas about this.

What I wanna know is when exactlly is menopause OVER?? Is there a scientific answer for that question?? I hit menopause pretty much at the time that is the norn….. one month after I turned 52 so I am wondering how much longer I have to go til I am ‘out of menoapuse?" For me it hasn’t been too bad cuz I certainly don’t notice much difference in my life except for the occasional hot flash and those come in spurts and then go away for months, and my sleeping is crappy sometimes. But compared to other women’s horror menopause stories I feel like it isn’t so bad… just a fact o life and we all get there sooner or later.

well im glad to see im not the only one with this problem. i think my weight problems started in the early 50s.im now 65 and my wt is the highest its ever been. ive tried slimfast…ww…curves..ill lose a few lbs and it comes rite back. i got to curves machines three times a wk and try to watch what i eat. im totally frustrated and dont know where to turn next. ive resigned myself to living the rest of my days FAT…..any help out there??

Thanks, Michelle. I will check that article out. You are right; we should eat right and exercise regularly for our health and not to be a certain number on a scale. Maybe we should junk our scales after 40 and go with the jiggle factor for if we are getting too heavy.

Working out is much better for maintaining weight than losing it. Exercise is trumped by dieting to produce weight loss. I haven’t read any research to suggest that women lose weight after menopause is over. It sounds more anecdotal to me. For every post-menopausal woman you know who lost weight how many do you know who haven’t? From my experience and research, women in midlife would be much better off looking to add physical activities and/or change eating in order to enhance well-being rather than trying to take off pounds. There is a great article on the New York Times website today about this (July 16, 2009). Check it out: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/16/health/nutrition/16skin.html?ref=nutrition

Hope – I need hope that you are right that the weight will come off – I have had a terrible time while in menopause trying to lose the weight. I think I am close to the end of menopause and I am turning 55 this fall so I will let you know if things change.

I think you still may be too young. I wish I knew where I read about this but it was more mid to late 50s. I did have a patient last year that was around that age and dropped a bunch of weight. My mother in law was around 55 also.

well if weight is supposed to come off-then something is really wrong w/ me. Okay, I’m hardly in a position that would have people giving me sympathy, but I have put on 8 pounds in the last 2-1/2 years, despite being totally anal about my diet/nutrition and exercise. go figure-maybe no one told my hormones

I am still in menopause as of last blood workup and have gradually gained weight over the last ten years despite exercise and eating healthy. I just wonder if this is hormanal and losing weight will be better post menopause.

well according to my dr. i am still in menopause and i have found it is harder to lose weight now then prior. but i do believe the only thing keeping my weight at 160 which i am trying real hard to get below is working out. i feel the benefits for me, keeps me stable, makes me feel good beside the fact it is good for you. so if you are one of the lucky ones who dont put weight i am happy for you. but as for me work out work out work out.